all over the screen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all over the screen" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is spread or displayed extensively across a screen, such as a computer or television screen. Example: "The error messages were popping up all over the screen, making it difficult to focus on the task at hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

TIP OF THE WEEK People who spend their day replying to e-mail in Microsoft Outlook may find a stack of open message windows all over the screen by lunchtime.

The New York Times

Their new UX UI looks pretty amazing – you basically drag cards all over the screen with your finger, which is quite interesting and it's made all the better by having some lady and two dudes show you how everything works.

TechCrunch

Whitney Houston was all over the screen.

The New York Times

Seconds later, instant-message windows bloomed all over the screen.

The New York Times

What plays best of all, of course, is a spaceship going kablooey all over the screen.

The New Yorker

All this unchallenged niceness all over the screen made me feel a bit queasy.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Federal security officers will take over the screening of all passengers on helicopter tours in New York City, after officials found that suspected Qaeda operatives in Pakistan had photographs, a brochure and other information about the tours.

The New York Times

Mick Jagger's lips were all over the screens.

The New York Times

Sitting on a hard chair, between our first television and the small alcove of bookshelves set into the wall of our government-owned house on the Bureau of Indian Affairs school campus, he told us how he'd heard the scratching of the doves' feet as they climbed all over the screens of sticks that his brother had made.

The New Yorker

I hope we can succeed in not getting ketchup all over the screens.

Huffington Post

Once she pulls back, however, it's all over, and the screen returns to grey. .

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all over the screen" to vividly describe elements that are widely distributed or highly visible, creating a sense of ubiquity or overwhelming presence. For example, describe how special effects are "all over the screen" in an action movie to emphasize the visual spectacle.

Common error

Avoid using "all over the screen" when a more specific description would be clearer. Instead of saying icons are "all over the screen", specify where they are located, like "clustered at the top" or "distributed along the sides".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all over the screen" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to describe how something appears or happens on a screen. As per Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Tech

20%

Film

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "all over the screen" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that vividly conveys the widespread or pervasive nature of something on a visual display. Analysis by Ludwig reveals its frequent use in news, media, and technology contexts, where it serves to emphasize the abundance or prominence of visual elements. While generally neutral in register, careful writers should consider more precise alternatives like "scattered across the screen" in formal contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, understanding appropriate usage ensures clarity and impact in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

displayed prominently

Focuses on the visibility and prominence of something on the screen.

scattered throughout the screen

Emphasizes the dispersed arrangement of elements.

featured extensively

Highlights the significant amount of screen time or space dedicated to something.

dominating the display

Suggests a strong, overwhelming presence on the screen.

covering the entire screen

Indicates that something occupies the full screen area.

present in every corner of the screen

Emphasizes the ubiquity of something across the screen.

visible everywhere onscreen

Highlights the widespread visibility of something onscreen.

pervasive throughout the interface

Indicates that the element is broadly integrated into the user interface.

spread across the viewport

Technical term indicating distribution across a viewing area.

filling the visual field

Highlights the way the entity occupies a viewer's vision on the screen.

FAQs

How can I use "all over the screen" in a sentence?

You can use "all over the screen" to describe something that appears widely or excessively on a display. For example, "The pop-up ads were "all over the screen", making it difficult to browse the website."

What does it mean when something is described as "all over the screen"?

It typically means that something is very noticeable, widespread, or even overwhelming on a visual display, such as a computer monitor or television.

What are some alternatives to using "all over the screen"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "scattered across the screen", "displayed prominently", or "featured extensively".

Is "all over the screen" too informal for professional writing?

While generally acceptable, consider the context. In more formal writing, alternatives like "displayed prominently" or "featured extensively" might be more appropriate.